Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cj1976]

I'm thinking about upgrading my PC but the sheer number of options is overwhelming.
I can't spend too much on upgrading (max 400-500k), so what would you go for and why?
Is quad-core really necessary, or would a high-end dual core be just as good?
AMD vs Intel?
Which mainboard would be good?
I really just want something that can handle games at high settings.

[Gaber]

4-500 would get you a decent Intel with a MB, but if you wanted to save some money you could get a near top of the line AMD with MB for about 320. I upgraded a few months back and desided that the case for getting a quadcore wasn't strong enough. They aren't much use for games yet. I got the AMD X2 6400+ (Which is only 150,000ish) and haven't regretted it. Basically, in the sub 250 buck department, an AMD will be cheaper and faster, though they don't hold a candle to high priced Intels.

[eamo]

Anyone buying a motherboard now should know that Intel have changed from CPU socket LGA775 to LGA1336........All future Intel CPU's will only fit on LGA1336 motherboards.

[cj1976]

I noticed that the high end Phenom X4 costs around the same as a Q6600. I'm going to go for one of those so that it will be good for a couple of years.
Which would be the better choice?

[Gaber]

Hard to say. But as eamo mentioned, the new intels (the i7s) are a new socket so you wouldn't have the option to upgrade from a Q6600 to an i7. For now at least, AMD are going to continue producing new processors compatible with the AM2+ motherboard, so you may have some later upgrade options if you go AMD that you wouldn't with an intel.
Anyway here's http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-q3-2008/benchmarks,31.html the latest CPU charts from Tom's Hardware. You can compare them there.

[OneWayTraffic]

If you want to play games at high settings, look at your graphics card first. Most games are GPU limited at the resolutions people actually play at. You'll note that when you see CPUs benchmarked with games, they need to both lower the resolution and details way down, and they put the biggest, hardest card they can find in it. Otherwise there's just little difference between low end, midrange and high end when playing the majority* of games out there.


*A few games ultilise CPU and GPU equally. But these are pretty rare.

If I was you, I'd put in a mid range Phenom and put in a 4870 in it. Or if you have at least a dual core already, just buy the 4870 already.

[ChinaBoy]

[cj1976]

I went ahead and bought a Q6600 with a Gigabyte board. I think that this should be good enough for me for a while. I'll be selling my old board and CPU, so if anyone is interested, I'll post it on the BST forum.